What does “irreconcilable differences” mean?

If you believe your marriage is not working and have chosen to dissolve it, you need to understand the divorce process in depth to make informed decisions from the word go. One of the things to know is whether or not you need grounds to file for divorce.  

Depending on your state laws, you can file a fault divorce whereby your divorce will be based on fault grounds, such as adultery, abandonment, lack of physical intimacy, imprisonment, and so on. Or you can file a no-fault divorce – all you have to say is that your marriage has irreconcilable differences; you don’t need to prove fault.

So, what does “irreconcilable differences” mean?

The marriage can no longer work

If a marriage is irretrievably broken or has irreconcilable differences, it can no longer work or cannot be repaired. This means resolution strategies, such as therapy, will not help. The conflict will continue to exist as long as the parties remain married. Thus, dissolving the marriage may be the only solution.

Is saying so enough for the court to grant a divorce?

While you don’t need to prove fault in your divorce, you may need to observe certain state laws for the court to grant you a divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. For example, if there is a reasonable prospect of reconciliation, a Pennsylvania court shall require a couple to go through counseling for a particular period. If the parties don’t reconcile by the end of the specified period, the court may determine the marriage is irretrievably broken and, in turn, grant the divorce.

Your state may also require you and your spouse to have been separated for a particular period or both of you to consent to the divorce. Some states even have a specified period that the irreconcilable differences should have lasted.

Thus, go through your state laws to understand the steps to take.

Divorcing on the grounds of irreconcilable differences offers numerous benefits. It can be less stressful, cheaper, and faster. But it’s crucial to be informed to avoid costly mistakes. Get legal guidance to learn more about no-fault divorce in your state. 

This article is for general information purposes. It helps you know you have options. Hence, you should get legal help. The information provided is not legal advice.